ASRock released a new mini-ITX form factor motherboard that runs socket FM1 AMD A-Series "Llano" APUs, the A75M-ITX. As the name suggests, it's based on the AMD A75 chipset. Like most other decent mini-ITX motherboards from reputed manufacturers, the A75M-ITX puts much larger motherboards to shame when it comes to connectivity and features it provides in its tiny board-space. The board draws power from standard 24-pin ATX with 4-pin CPU power. The FM1 socket is powered by a 4-phase VRM, it is wired to two full-length DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting dual-channel DDR3-1866 MHz memory, and the lone expansion slot, a PCI-Express 2.0 x16.

Storage options include four internal SATA 6 Gb/s ports, and one eSATA 6 Gb/s. There are four USB 3.0 ports on the rear panel, two USB 2.0 ports, and six USB 2.0 ports by internal header. Display outputs include HDMI 1.4a and D-Sub. There's gigabit Ethernet, and 8-channel HD audio, which includes optical SPDIF output. ASRock's new motherboard is priced in Japan at the equivalent of US $115.

I might start considering moving some discriminating clients I build for into the APU/ITX set-ups. Start with say Thermaltake Element Q and you still have a very competent little machine for most everyday tasks. Some folk come along saying they don’t want big and don’t like working from a laptop, even micro-ATX was more than they liked. I shied away from ITX… it just didn’t have the mainstream vibe, while with just adequate graphics, but the APU’s is start changing that. Would rather it have DVI-D and no VGA, while an integrated wireless would have made the price more justifiable, thought that can be off USB.